Once-Weekly Dulaglutide improves Glycemic Control in Youths with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

6 Jul, 22

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Introduction

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is on rise in youths. Once weekly

treatment with dulaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), may be effective in achieving glycemic control in youths with T2DM.

To ascertain the efficacy and safety of dulaglutide, compared with placebo in youths with T2DM.

Patients aged 10 to <18 years with a body-mass index (BMI) >85th percentile for age and sex in the participant’s country, body weight of at least 50 kg, and a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >6.5% to ≤11.0% (if patient managed on metformin with or without insulin) or an HbA1c >6.5% to ≤9.0% (if patient managed on diet and exercise alone) were included in the study.
Lifestyle measures (diet and exercise) were to be in place for at least 8 weeks before screening. Similarly, metformin and insulin doses had to be stable for at least 8 weeks before screening.

A phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, superiority trial conducted across 46 centers in nine countries

During the 26-week trial, 154 patients were randomized 1:1:1 to receive once-weekly subcutaneous injections of placebo, dulaglutide at a dose of 0.75 mg, or dulaglutide at a dose of 1.5 mg.
For patients randomized to 1.5 mg dulaglutide, the medication was initiated at a dose of 0.75 mg for 4 weeks and then escalated to 1.5 mg in absence of any unacceptable adverse events
Participants were then included in a 26-week open-label extension study wherein patients in placebo group started receiving dulaglutide at a weekly dose of 0.75 mg.

Percentage of patients achieving HbA1c < 7.0%
Changes from baseline to week 26 in the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) concentration and BMI

Of the entire study population, 95% (n=146) completed the 26-week double-blind period and 90% (n=139) completed the 52-week open-label treatment period.
At 26 weeks, patients in the placebo group had increased mean HbA1c, patients treated with dulaglutide had decreased mean HbA1c (Fig. 1). This reduction continued through the 52 weeks, although the magnitude of reduction was lesser compared to that at 26 weeks.

Fig. 1: Change in the mean HbA1C level during the study period

At 26 weeks, a greater proportion of patients in the pooled dulaglutide groups vs. the placebo group achieved an HbA1c level <7.0% (51% vs. 14%, P<0.001).
Patients in the placebo group had increased FPG and those in the pooled dulaglutide group had decreased FPG (Fig. 2)

Fig. 2: Change in FPG during the study

The incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events was higher in patients treated with dulaglutide vs. placebo. The safety profile of dulaglutide in youths was consistent with that reported in adults.
There were no clinically relevant between group differences in the change in BMI through 26 weeks

Once-weekly dulaglutide at a dose of 0.75 mg or 1.5 mg was superior to placebo in improving glycemic control through 26 weeks among youths with inadequately controlled T2DM, without an effect on BMI.
Improvement in glycemic control due to treatment with dulaglutide persisted through 52 weeks.

New Engl J Med. June 4, 2022 (Published Online); DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2204601.